In a surprising turn of events, the Atlanta Braves were forced to make a last-minute adjustment to their pitching rotation on Monday. Left-hander Chris Sale, who was set to start in the second game of the doubleheader against the New York Mets, was scratched due to back spasms. Nevertheless, the Braves secured their playoff berth with a 3-0 victory in the contest.
With their eyes now set on the Wild Card Series against the San Diego Padres, questions about the Braves' pitching depth have come to the fore. Chris Sale's sudden unavailability could be a significant blow, especially considering his stellar season. The 35-year-old Sale is seen as a front-runner for this year's National League Cy Young Award, boasting an impressive 2.38 ERA (174 ERA+), a 5.77 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 29 starts, and a valuation of 6.2 Wins Above Replacement (WAR) as per Baseball Reference. Additionally, Sale has achieved the league's first pitching triple crown since 2011, adding to his credentials.
"Manager Brian Snitker told reporters after the game that he does not expect Sale to be an option to pitch during Atlanta's Wild Card Series against the San Diego Padres," casting doubt on the team's ability to leverage their star pitcher's talents when they might need it the most.
The Braves' bullpen had to step up in Sale's absence in Monday's games. Spencer Schwellenbach, Grant Holmes, and Reynaldo López each took the mound, contributing to the team's successful clinching of a playoff spot. Their collective effort was instrumental in maintaining the Braves' momentum heading into the postseason.
Rotation Shuffle
With Sale's back spasms sidelining him, Atlanta’s pitching rotation will need to adapt. Max Fried, who started on Friday, and Charlie Morton, who threw 75 pitches on Sunday, are likely candidates to bear more responsibility against the Padres. The upcoming Wild Card Series is set to commence at 8:38 p.m. ET on Tuesday night, and all games will be played at Petco Park in San Diego, a venue renowned for its pitcher-friendly dimensions. This could offer some solace to the Braves' pitching staff during this crucial series.
However, Sale’s impact cannot be understated. His season has been nothing short of exceptional and losing a pitcher of his caliber creates a significant void. Sale's performance metrics this season underscore his value to the team, and the potential absence of a Cy Young favorite could tilt the scales slightly in favor of the Padres.
Looking Ahead
As the Braves prepare for their Wild Card showdown at Petco Park, they will need to rely heavily on the depth of their pitching roster. The collective efforts of Schwellenbach, Holmes, and López on Monday demonstrated the Braves' ability to adapt under pressure. Moreover, veterans like Fried and Morton will need to step up and possibly extend their innings to mitigate Sale’s absence.
The Braves' offense, too, will be critical in supporting their pitching staff. While the focus often rests on the mound, timely hitting and run production could ease some of the pressure on Atlanta's pitchers. As they head into the postseason, the Braves will aim to capitalize on their recent momentum while addressing the challenges posed by Sale's injury.
Ultimately, the resilience and depth of the Atlanta Braves’ roster will be put to the test in this Wild Card Series. The coming days will reveal whether the Braves can overcome the setback of losing one of their star pitchers or if the Padres will exploit this critical gap. Regardless, the Braves’ path ahead promises to be a compelling narrative for baseball fans.